Thermostatic control for automobile radiator overflow pipe



July 23, 1935.

F. R AWCLIFFE 2,008,835

THERMOSTATIO CONTROL FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR OVERFLOW PIPE Filed April14, 1934 I n n l ""m; A

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Patented July 23, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THERMOSTATIC CONTROLFOR AUTOMO- BILE RADIATOR OVERFLOW PIPE Frank Rawcliife, Detroit, Mich.Application April 14, 1934, Serial No. 720,522

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvement in an automobile radiator andprovides a device of this character embodying a thermostatic control forthe radiator overflow pipe. r

' 5 It is obvious that in the more modern designing of the power plantfor motor vehicles much attention and development has been devoted tothe cooling system.

For obvious reasons the water pump for these systems is arranged so thatthe strenuous work of the pump frequently forces the water in the lutionfor the radiator.

In order to overcome this dimculty and provide a reliable and positiveprevention from the loss of any amount of water in the radiator otherthan through the customary evaporation process, and likewise theprimaryintention of my invention is to provide an extremely simple andcompact device that may readily engage the upper end of the overflowpipe and to remain permanently in this relation, and which is providedwith. expansion or thermostatic metal which supports a freely operativecap for the top of the device and is normally retained in a manner so asto completely close the upper end of the overflow pipe until at suchtimewhen the temperature of the water in the radiator will have reachedfrom 192 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature the thermostaticmetakwill expand sufliciently to raise or open the cap of the device,thereby permitting instant passage of water through theoverflow pipe andto final discharge thereof.

This operation will continue until the temperature of the water shalldecline to that of the normal temperature required.

Another very important advantage of this innecessary to provide anexpensive anti-freeze so- Another decided advantage of this invention isthe application of its use for winter driving, when expensive antifreezefluids' are used. Consequently, the aforesaid surging action would nat,urally cause wasteof the expensive anti-freeze 5 fluid as well as thewater.

A still further advantageof this invention is the fact-that theevaporation of any anti-freeze solution will be positively prevented atsuch time when the vehicle is inoperative or parked and 10 thetemperature of the cooling fluid is below 192 adjacent to thethermostatic control associated with the overflow pipe.

The invention possesses further advantages, which will become readilyapparent during the 15 course of the following detailed description,illustrated throughout the accompanying drawing, and more specificallypointed out in the appended claims. 5 7

With reference to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a transverse section of the device through the centerthereof, and showing the same normally secured to theoverflow pipe.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the complete invention. 25

Figure 3 is an elevation of the invention showing the same in the act ofoperation. H Figure 4 is a transverse section of the inventiondisclosing a modified form thereof.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the complete in- .30 vention.

All of the views in the drawing are drawn to the scale of approximatelytwice size.

The invention comprises a cylindrical body I having the upper and lowerportion thereof open 35 as indicated, and composed of any material and.thickness most suitable forthis purpose. --Said body being providedwith an inside diameter of adequate proportion so as to render samesusceptible oi telescopic detachable engagement with 40 overflow pipe A.

Thermostatic expansion metal 2 is provided and of the'formation asshown. This metal is substantially supported by means of one end thereofbeing deflected and forming thereby foot 45 3, and said foot beingsecured to body I by soldering, welding, or in any approved manner. Theopposite end of metal 2 is deflected in a manner so that flat portion 4is formedand which is adapted to likewise engage the top surface of 50closure cap .5 and being retained in this relation by rivet 6.

In order to prevent the. possibility of the water siphoning to withinpipe A when the device is closed as in Figure l, packing '1 ispro videdintermediate pipe 'A and body I. This packing is preferably composed oftire tape or the equivalent thereof, or in fact any material notsusceptible to deterioration by water or the solution of. water andchemicals.

With reference to Figure 1 it is understood that the spring tension ofmetal 2 will retain closure cap 5 normally in contact with the top ofbody I, thereby closing pipe A. When the temperature of water B shallhave attained from 192 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit, metal 2 beingsubmerged in same, will expand sufficiently so as to elevate or open cap5 to approximately the position as shown in Figure 3 andaccordingly'admitting of the uninterrupted passage of water B fromwithin the radiator through pipe A to final discharge thereof.

The correct working temperature of the water of an automobile motor isfrom degrees to degrees F., and it must be thereby understood that thisinvention remains at a positively closed position at all times duringsaid normal temperature, unless there is some difliculty within themotor to cause an unexpected and rapid rise in temperature of the water,and inasmuch as if this condition should prevail it would require areasonable ti me'before the pressure would be so great as to do anymaterial damage. Such a condition is very unusual and is not frequentlyknown in the more modern types of vehicle power plants.

It is obvious from the foregoing explanation of the operation of thedevice that when the temperature of the water declines to a temperaturebelow 192 degrees Fahrenheit, metal 2 will con tract to the extent thatcap 5 will be automatically moved to a closed position, as in Figures 1and 2, and this operation automatically repeating itself.

Referring to Figure 4, a modified form of the invention provides thatportion 3 of metal 2 be secured to overflow pipe A, and cap 5 beingadapted to perform the same function as in the major structure of theinvention. Inthis manner the necessity of the use of body I and packing1 would be obviated, and the device being constructed in coordinationwith the overflow pipe.

It maybe added that if necessary, a provision may be incorporated in cap5 whereby a packing may be disposed between the bottom of said cap andthe top of body I and pipe A, so as to insure a water-tight joint forsaid elements.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In combination with an automobile radiator overflow pipe, athermostatic control including a cylindrical body, said body adapted totelescopically engage said overflow pipe, packing means therebet-ween, aclosure for the top of said body, said closure comprising a detachablyengaged cap, and means interconnecting the cap with the body andautomatically operative for opening and closing said cap relative to theaforesaid body.

2. In combination with an automobile radiator overflow pipe,'athermostatic control including a cylindrical body, said body adapted totelescopically engage said pipe, a thermostatic element, and adetachably engaged cap for said body, said cap being secured to thethermostatic element, the latter being secured to the body in a mannerso that the cap will open and close said body responsive to expansionand contraction of said element, which is governed by the temperature ofthe water in the radiator.

3. In combination with an automobile radiator overflow pipe, athermostatic control including a body adapted to detachably engage saidpipe, a closure cap for said body, and thermostatic meansinterconnecting the closure cap with the body for automatically openingand closing said cap relative to said body and responsive to thevariable temperature of the water within the radiator.

FRANK RAWCLIFFE.

